NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 



PS 3503 



Tu'' \V\ZK5 Edition 
'°- ' m or PL71Y.5 ^ 



1914 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 



Price, 25 Cents 







COPYRIGHT, 1889. BY WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 



H» lU. Pinero's Plays 

Price, 50 Cents eacD 



THP AMA7riN^ Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, five fe- 
IflEi AiYlAtiV/llO males. Costumes, modern; scenery, not 
difflculto Plays a full evening. 

TUC rADIMCT MINICTrP Farce in Four Acts. Ten 
Int LADllNtl 1V11IN1MC.K males, nine females. Cos 
tuines, modern society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

HANnV niflf Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, four fe- 
i//\iii/I i/lV^IV. males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two inte- 
riors. Plays two hours and a half. 

TUr P KV I nun HITFY comedy in Four Acts. Fourmales, 
inC Vli\I LiUIVLF ViUEiA ten females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. 

UIC UniTCI? IM nPnrP comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, 
niC nUUOE. Ill UI\UEiI\. four females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THF HHRRV UORQIT Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, 
lOEi nWDDl nvnVOEi live females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. 

injC Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 
H^i"^ modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

I AHY RniTNTIFITI Play in Four Acts. Eight males, seven 
Lin.lJ I DV.Ull lirULi females. Costumes, modern; scen- 
ery, four interiors, not easy. Plays a full evening. 

I FTTY I^^'arna in Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five 
"*-• 1 i i females. Costumes, modern ; scenery complicated. 
Plays a full evening. 

THF M Ar'IQTR ATF Farce in Three Acts. Twelve males, 
inEi m/\VllO 1 IV/\ 1 £• four females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv H, JBafeer & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



Leave It to Polly 

A Comedy in Two Acts 

For Female Characters Only 



By 

GLADYS RUTH BRIDGHAM 

jiutho7- of ".'Z Case for Sherlock Holmes" "^ 

Regular Scream^" " The Turn in the Road" 

'■'■The ^ueen of Hearts" etc. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1914 






l\ 



Leave It to Polly 



CHARACTERS 



Miss Priscilla Kitten, priticipal. 

Miss Bedelia Kitten, her sister. 

Miss Octavia Harding, insirucior. 

Annie, the maid. 

Marion Esterbrook 

Hilda Mason 

Lillian Martin 

Ina Sinclair 

Vivian Winthrop 

Mary Ann Meredith ("Polly 

The Burglar. 



I 
I 

) J 



Juniors. Should be flayed 
by girls about fourteen 
or fifteen years old. 



SYNOPSIS 



Act I. — Junior study — Tracy School for Girls. Suburbs of 
Boston. Afternoon. 

Act H, — The same. Hallowe'en. Evening. 

Time in Playing. — One hour and a half. 




Copyright, 191 3, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 



g)G!.D 3'1?98 



i COSTUMES 

iiV In Act I, the girls should wear dark blue skirts and white middy 

i^^ blouses. 

* In Act II, muslin dresses, and the fancy costumes should be 

simple enough for a quick change. 

Miss Harding should be young and attractive. 
J Miss Bedelia Kitten should be little and old-fashioned. 

The Juniors could be played successfully by girls even 
' younger than fourteen. 



Leave It to Polly 



ACT I 

SCENE. — -Junior Study ; Tracy School for Girls, 

(As curfain rises, Vivian Winthrop, Lillian Martin, 
Marion Esterbrook, Ina Sinclair ami Mary Ann 
Meredith, knoivn as Polly, sit about a large table study- 
ing. Miss Octavia Harding sits at one end of the table 
writing. A bell rings. Miss H. exits. Polly begitis to 
move about, looks at the different girls, but as they are 
tiot inclined to give her any attention, balances a book on 
the end of a ruler. It falls ivith a crash.) 

Viv. For goodness' sake, Polly Ann, do sit still ! 

Ina. Yes, even if you have digested the contents of that 
pile of books, there are some of us less fortunate. 

Mar. I should say as much. I can never make any sense 
out of geometry if I study a hundred years. 

LiL. {warningly). Hush, girls ! 

Enter Miss H. 

Miss H. Young ladies, it is four o'clock. \^Exit, 

Polly (^jumping up and doian). Oh, oh, oh ! Hardy has 
saved my life. I should certainly have died if I'd been obliged 
to sit still another minute. 

LiL. Er — Miss Meredith, I fear you forget yourself. 

Polly. Forget myself? I wish I could, long enough to 
give the faculty of this select seminary one shock. 

Viv. I'm thinking, dear one, that it would be you who 
would have the shock before 5'ou got through. 

Polly. Never ! Nothing that could happen now would 
be any surprise to me. 

LiL. Oh, Polly, it isn't so dreadful here ! 



6 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

Polly. Well, perhaps it isn't. You see, you weren't raised 
on a ranch. Why, girls, sometimes I think I shall go mad to 
be always cooped up in this stifling place, pretending to study. 
If I could just get out and run, and run, and run ! 

Mar. {slatiwiing a book down). Hang ! 

All. Marion ! 

Mar. 1 don't care ! I can't learn that stuff and further- 
more I'm not going to try ! 

Polly. Good ! I'm glad that some one has a little spirit. 

LiL. That's no way to talk. You ought to be ashamed, 
Polly Ann, to stir the girls up the way you do. 

Polly. Stir the girls up ? I ? Shade of St. Christopher, 
it would take a cyclone ! 

Viv. Polly, are we really so very slow ? 

Polly. Slow? Goodness, no, dear. You are so ra])id 
that you put the Boston elevated to shame ! 

LiL. Polly, if Miss Harding heard you, you would have 
fifty lines more to add to your misery. 

Polly. It's worth it to be able to speak your mind freely. 

Ina. Fifty lines wouldn't be any misery for Polly. How 
can you learn the way you do ? 

Polly. Just a system I have. I look at the first word in the 
line and the last and guess at what's in between. Say., let's 
go out as long as we have that inestimable privilege at this 
hour of the day. 

I.IL. Go out? Why, Polly, we aren't half ready for to- 
night. 

Ina. If the dominoes don't come on the next train, what 
shall we do ? 

Mar. Make some ourselves. 

Polly. Goodness, make our costumes ? 

Mar. Yes. They're really nothing but sheets. 

Lil. Don't you believe her ! They do look something like 
sheets, but they make them awfully cute at the costume places. 
We couldn't make them half as well. 

Viv. You needn't worry ! I telephoned up to Hayden 
this noon and he said they would be here sure. Didn't you 
ever see a domino, Polly ? 

Polly. No. We didn't celebrate Hallowe'en on the ranch. 
To tell the truth, I never heard of it until a week ago. 

All. What ? 

Mar. Polly Ann, do you mean to say that you never v/ent 
to a Hallowe'en party ? 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 7 

Polly. Never ! 

LiL. Oh, don't I wish I was you. If you won't have a 
picnic to-night ! 

Ina. It will be as good as an initiation to see Polly trying 
the stunts. 

Viv. You will do them all, won't you, Polly? 

Polly. Believe me, I will ! But come out for five minutes, 
anyway. I refuse to do a single stunt without a breath of fresh 
air first. 

Ina. Well, wait for Hilda. 

Mar. Yes, do ! That will give me a chance to finish this 
theorem. I'd rather flunk in any class than Miss Kitten's. 

All (groaning). Right, oh ! 

Viv. Where is Hilda? 

LiL. Music lesson. 

Polly. She has my sympathy. 

Ina. You shouldn't speak that way, Polly. Professor 
Braumautz says Hilda has wonderful talent and can look for- 
ward to a brilliant future. 

Polly. It's a good thing. I should want something to 
look forward to if I was going to de-de-de-de all my happy 
young life away. 

LiL. You don't appreciate music, Polly. I don't suppose 
you ever heard a great musician. 

Polly. Yes, I did. There was a man from Lone Ranch 
came down to see dad, and he was a wonder. He could 
play "Home, Sweet Home" and " Hail Columbia" with his 
elbows. 

Ina. Polly ! 

Viv. Hush ! Here comes Hilda. She would never get 
over it if she heard you say anything about her music. 

E7iter Hilda Mason, r. , with a package and several letters. 

Hilda. Mail, girls ! 
All. Oh, Hilda ! Anything for me ? 
Hilda (handing the letters to the girls). Polly, Lillian, 
Ina. Catch, Vivian ! 

( Throws package to Viv. ) 

Mar. That's a suspicious-looking package, Vivi. 

Viv. I know what it is. It's a package of Lowney's for our 



8 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

party to-night. I dropped a gentle hint to cousin when I was 
home last week. 

All. Good for cousin ! 

Polly. Girls, my letter is from Martha. 

LiL. Oh, is it ? 

Ina. Is she better ? . 

Mar. When is she coming back ? 

Polly. Yes, she's better, but the doctor won't let her come 
back until after the Thanksgiving vacation. 

All. Isn't that a shame ? 

Polly. Listen, girls, to this. {Reads.) " My aunt, Ma- 
tilda Sampson, doesn't know that I am ill, and she is on her 
way to Elmsford to make me a visit. She didn't let us know 
until after she started, so we can't stop her as we don't know 
exactly where she is. She will arrive at Elmsford Wednesday 
on the afternoon train. Will you please meet her ; — and, Polly, 
will you ask the girls to give her a good time Wednesday night 
and she can come on here Thursday morning. She may seem 
a little queer but she is really perfectly lovely. She's never 
had much chance in life and this is the first time she ever 
visited a girls' school. For my sake, won't you be nice to 
her?" Of course we will ! What does Martha think we are ? 
Why, we would be nice to a visitor if she wasn't anybody's 
aunt, wouldn't we, girls? 

Girls {rather doubtfully). Yes, — of — course ! 

Ina {looking at letter). Wednesday afternoon ! Why, 
that's right now, and it's nearly train time ! You'll have to 
go right off, Polly ! 

Polly. Yes, I'll have to see Miss Kitten at once. {Starts 
to run out L. ; runs into Miss Priscilla Kitten.) Oh, Miss 
Kitten, I beg your pardon. I didn't see you ! 

Miss K. Miss Meredith, haven't I spoken to you several 
times in regard to running about the house ? 

Polly. Yes, ma'am. 

Miss K. Then why do you persist in doing it? 

Polly {moving uneasily from one foot to the other). Well, 
you see, I'm just sort of used to moving rapidly. 

Miss K. Stand still ! Your manners and movements, Miss 
Meredith, pain me exceedingly. You are neither dignified 

nor ladylike. Don't you Miss Meredith, look at me 

when I am speaking to you. You are not paying the slightest 
attention to what I am saying. What are you thinking of? 

Polly. Shall I really tell you ? 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 9 

Miss K. Yes, at once. 

Polly. Well, I was thinking how becoming purple is to 
you and wondering why you didn't wear it all the time. 

Miss K. (strivifig to look unconscious). Dear me, Polly, 

you are — you are Where were you going, child, in such 

a hurry ? 

Polly. I was going to find you, Miss Kitten. I wanted to 
see you as soon as I possibly could. • 

Miss K. I should say you succeeded. What did you 
want ? 

Polly. Well, perhaps you had better read this right in 
here. {Shows her the letter.) Of course, you can read the 
whole of it if you would like to. 

Miss K. Whom is this from? {Turns it over.) Oh, 
Martha. {Reads letter.) Why, it's to-day Miss Sampson is 
coming ! It's almost time to meet her now ! 

Polly {eagerly). Yes, ma'am ! Can I go, Miss Kitten ? 

Miss K. Why, certainly, as Martha has requested it. You 
couldn't very well do any other way. 

Polly. Oh, Miss Kitten, please could I take Marion with 
me? 

Miss K. No, indeed ! It's bad enough to worry about 
what you will do yourself, let alone what you would influence 
Marion into doing. Now, listen to me. You will ride on the 
back seat, and wear a hat and not talk with John. I was com- 
pletely overcome tlie other day when you returned from making 
that call on your father's school friend, to see you on the front 
seat, bareheaded, flourishing the whip and actually joking with 
John. 

Polly. Yes, ma'am. We did have a dandy time ! 

Miss K. Miss Meredith ! 

Polly. Oh, I beg your pardon. I mean it was a delight- 
ful occasion. 

Miss K. Well, it was one not to be repeated. You under- 
stand ? 

Polly. Yes, ma'am. Miss Kitten, isn't John respectable ? 

Miss K. Why, certainly ! Do you think I would employ a 
man who isn't respectable ? 

Polly. Then, why oughtn't I to talk to him ? 

Miss K. Polly, is it possible that you haven't been taught 
that there are many men not your equals and not to be associ- 
ated with ? 

Polly. No, ma'auL Every man is your equal where I 



10 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

came from. It wouldn't be healthy to tell a man he wasn't. 
If you did he'd feel for the six-shooter in his hip pocket and 
just naturally let daylight into you. 

Miss K. Polly, you don't realize how extraordinary your 
language is. I can't keep you longer but I will endeavor to 
explain to you at the first opportunity. Go now, and please 
remember that Miss Sampson's impression of you is likely to be 
her impression of all the girls. My reputation is in your 
hands. 

Polly. Mercy ! Well, I'll be very careful of it until I get 
Miss Sampson up here. Then I'll get safely away somewhere 
out of her sight, for by that time I'll probably be about ready 
to explode. [Polly exits, l. Girls are all laughing. 

Miss K. Young ladies, Miss Meredith's remarks are any- 
thing but humorous. It is dreadful that so remarkable a girl 
should have been brought up in such an environment. I ex- 
pect you to use your influence for her good. \^Exit, R. 

Ina. Glory ! The kitten's sense of humor is sadly blunted. 
I thought I should die ! 

LiL. So did I. 

Mar. Wasn't she mean not to let me go? 

Hilda. Isn't Polly the limit? 

Viv. She's the greatest fun that ever struck this place. 
Come on, girls ! There's loads of things to do for to-night. 

{^They take their books and papers. Hilda leaves a book 
on table. All exit l.) 

Enter Miss K., r. She has a letter in her hand and is very 
tntich excited. She rings bell — sits doivn by table. An- 
nie enters. 

Miss K. Send Miss Harding to me at once. (Annie 
exits r. Hilda enters ; starts toward table, sees Miss K., 
starts toward door, sees Miss H. coming — steps back of screen 
at back of room. Miss PI. enters.') Miss Harding, will you 
be seated ? I am very much upset. Very much upset ! I 
have received an important business letter which calls me into 
Boston and I shall be obliged to remain away over night. 
There was never a time thai I was so loth to leave the school. 
I will tell you frankly. Miss Harding, that I do not find you 
efficient. 

Miss H. In what way have I failed. Miss Kitten ? 

Miss K. In your control over the girls. I was afraid you 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY II 

were too young and inexperienced when you came. You are 
not filling Miss Blaine's place at all. I must give you warning 
that if there isn't a decided improvement in the junior division, I 
shall have to make a change at the Thanksgiving recess. Now, 
in regard to my being away to-night, I shall forbid all Hal- 
lowe'en parties. 

Miss H. Pardon me, Miss Kitten, but that seems to me the 
worst possible thing to do. The girls will be disappointed and 
likely to make up for their disappointment in some other way. 

Miss K. It will be your duty to see that they do not suc- 
ceed. Remember that 1 depend on you to keep the girls quiet 
and orderly. I shall speak to them before I leave. 

(Miss K. exits l. Miss H. looks after her for a second, 
drops her head into her hands, then rises, takes a deep 
breath, exits r. Hilda comes forward, looks after Miss 
K. and exclaims, " Cat/") 

Enter Ina, Viv., Lil. and Mar., r. 

Ina. Hilda ! 

Viv. Aren't you coming? 

Mar. What are you doing ? 

Hilda. I came back to get my algebra. I left it on the 
table and I didn't want thirty lines extra for carelessness, and 
what do you suppose? Miss Kitten was sitting here actually 
looking at it, and she was so absorbed in her own affairs that 
she never noticed it. I tried to get out and almost walked into 
Miss Harding and there was nothing to do but dodge. Miss 
Kitten talked perfectly horrid to Miss Harding and told her if 
we didn't behave better that she would lose her position. As 
if Miss Harding was to blame ! And, girls, after Miss Kitten 
went out, Miss Harding cried a little; I'm sure she did. 

Lil. Isn't Miss Kitten mean ? 

Mar. Yes. Miss Harding is a dear. {Bell rings.) 

Viv. Goodness, there's the assembly bell. 

Ina. What do you suppose has happened ? 

Hilda. I can tell you. The Cat is going away and she's 
afraid the mice will play, and she's going to forbid our Hal- 
lowe'en fun. 

All. What ? 

Hilda. Come on ! You will hear the news when you get 
tlown there. 



12 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

All {talking as they exit). How do you know ? If that 
isn't the limit ! The very idea ! You'd think we were babies. 

Annie enters, picks up some papers, places the chairs in posi- 
tion. Miss H. enters^ r. 

Miss H. Oh, are you here, Annie? 

Annie. Sure 1 am, Miss Harding. 

Miss H. I thought you were going to drop saying sure. 

Annie. Sure I am. I mean I am, but it's that hard for 
me to rimimber. But don't yez think I does better? 

Miss H. I think you do better. 

Annie. Sure, that's right, I do ! Oh, no, I mean — sure, is 
it any use for me to be tryin' ? 

Miss H. Yes, it is, Annie. It's everything for you to 
want to try. There's no reason why you shouldn't be edu- 
cated just the same as the other girls. As soon as I can coach 
you up enough, I'm going to ask Miss Kitten to let you work 
your way through the school, that is, if I stay here myself. 

Annie. If yez stay? Sure, what do you mean. Miss 
Harding ? 

Miss H. I shouldn't have spoken, Annie, but as I have, I 
suppose I might as well tell you. Miss Kitten is not satisfied 
with me and if things have not improved by Thanksgiving, I 
shall have to go, I'm afraid there will be no improvement. 

Annie. Sure, it's a hathen she is entoirely. Don't yez 
care ! Sure, it's easy another place yer'll git. 

Miss H. That's just the trouble, Annie. I won't be able 
to get another position. It will be the wrong time of year. It 
isn't so much myself, but my mother is ill and she needs my 
help. If I have to go home at Thanksgiving and tell her that 
I have lost my position ! {Breaks down.') 

Annie. It's a howlin' shame, it is ! Don't yez be after 
cryin', Miss Hardin'. Sure, and why ain't Miss Kitten satis- 
fied ? 

Miss H. I can't manage the girls. 

Annie. Sure, yez mean yer can't manage that whirlwind 
from out wist. 

Miss H. You mustn't speak that way of Polly. She is a 
good friend to you, Annie. 

Annie. Sure, she is that. Nixt ter yersilf, she's the best I 
ever had since I came here. She showed me how ter do me 
hair like this and gave me the ribbon, and she always acts as 
if I was a girl, too. 



LEAVE ir TO POLLY I 3 

Miss H. Well, that's all you are, child. How old are you, 
anyway ? 

Annie. Sixteen. 

Miss H. Well, if I have to go, I will do all I can to interest 
Miss Kitten in you. 

Annie. Sure, it's broken-hearted I ain if yez goes, (^Be- 
gins to cry.) I'll nivir try ter learn nolhio' more and I'll say 
sure all the time. 

Miss H. There, Annie, you mustn't feel so. I have done 
wrong to talk to you, but I'm not so very old myself and some- 
times it seems as if I must talk to some one or die. If I go, 
you must try all the more so that I can feel that I have done a 
little good here. 

Annie. It's lots o' good yez done an' the girls think yez 
iligent. I've heard thim say so. They'll do what yez want 
if yer asks them, Miss Harding. 

Miss H. They will try to, but they don't think, and Miss 
Kitten is right. I don't know why I fail but I haven't much 
control over them. We won't talk any more about it, and 
you must be careful, child, not to rei)eat the foohsh things I 
say to you. 

Annie. Sure, it's mum as an oyster I'll be, Miss Harding, 
an' maybe I kin be after helpin' yez. Sure, wouldn't it be jist 
iligint if I could ? 

Miss H. It stire would, Annie, and it sure would be just 
elegant if you would try to say just one sentence as I have 
taught you. I should feel that my labors were not wholly in 
vain. 

Annie (z>ery sloioly). You — know — that — you — are — help- 
ing — me — and — that — I — am^improving. 

Miss H. Bravo ! You see hov/ nicely you can do when 
you try. 

Annie. Sure I kin, but ain't it the hard work? 

Miss H. I suppose it is, dear, but the things worth work- 
ing for are usually the hardest. \_They exit, l. 

Enter Hilda, Lil., In a, Mar. and Viv. Hilda speaks as 
she enters. 

Hilda. I don't care, Lillian ! You're so awfully proper 
about everything and afraid to say your soul's your own, but 
I'm not afraid to speak my mind. 

Mar. Nor I. Miss Kitten is just as mean as she can be. 

Lil, Girls, slie probably thinks it is best. 



14 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

Ina. Oh, fiddlesticks ! 

Viv. Supposing she is going away. Miss Harding is here ! 

Mar. Any one would think this was a kindergarten instead 
of a school for young ladies. 

Ina. Young ladies ! Oh, don't make me laugh ! 

LiL. This may not be a kindergarten but the way you are 
discussing things is decidedly childish. 

Viv. Oh, don't worry, Miss Propriety, we will all sit and 
twiddle our thumbs this evening. 

Hilda. Or do some knitting. 

Mar. Or a fine piece of hemstitching while you sit quite 
erect in a chair without arms, with both dainty tootsies placed 
squarely upon the floor and 

LiL. I presume, Miss Esterbrook, that you imagine that 
you are witty. Don't you think that I am disappointed, too ? 
And think of Polly Ann ! 

Ina. I know it ! Just think ! Never went to a Hallowe'en 
party ! 

E titer Annie, l., with a box. 

Annie. Miss Wiiithrop, here's a package for yez. 

\^Exit, L. 
Viv. (taking the box ?//). A package ? Oh, from Hayden ! 
The dominoes ! 

Hilda. A pile of good they will do us now. 
Viv. I wish they hadn't sent the old things. 

Enter Polly, r. 

Polly. Oh, girls ! Girls ! You never can guess what I 
bought for you. 

Hilda. Goodness, Polly, I don't see how you could have 
bought anything. You didn't»go over to the Center, did you ? 

Polly. No, I bought it in the station. 

All. In the station ? 

Polly. Yes. Drop a penny in the slot ! Push the lever 
and out it comes. (Ho Us up a package of gum.') 

All. Gum ! 

LiL. Polly Meredith, you know Miss Kitten is death on 
gum ! 

Polly. Land sakes, Lillian, T didn't buy it for Miss Kitten. 
It's for you. Step right up, ladies. Now's your chance. Get 
your nice fresh chewing-gum ! 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 1 5 

Ina. Hush ! Your voice would raise the dead ! 
Mar. {holding out her hands'). Catch, Polly ? 

(Polly throivs her a piece. Passes it aroutid to the other 
girls.) 

Viv. Goodness, girls, keep one eye on the door. 

LiL. Girls ! 

Polly. Lily, don't you like to chew gum? Be honest, 
now ! 

LiL. Well, yes, but 

Polly. Then, have a piece ! 

Ina. Don't I love gum ! 

Polly. Isn't it just heavenly to be doing something we 
ought not to do ? 

LiL. You won't think it's so heavenly if you're caught. 

Viv. Did Martha's aunt come ? 

Polly. Yes ; and, girls, she is a funny little thing and 
dressed so queer ; but she's a perfect little duck ! Promise 
you will be nice to her, girls. I'm sure she isn't the least bit 
like any of your folks, and I don't know how she will strike 
you. 

Mar. Of course we will be nice if we can do it in a per- 
fectly decorous way. 

Hilda. Oh, Polly, what do you think ? Miss Kitten is 
going up to Boston to stay over night and she has forbidden us 
to have our party. 

Polly. She has ? Well, can't we have it gome other night 
after she gets back? 

Mar. a Hallowe'en party some other night 1 

Viv. The charms wouldn't work. 

LiL. Would you expect on any other night in the year to 
walk around a room backward holding a mirror in your hand, 
and have your future husband look over your shoulder and you 
see his face in the mirror ? 

Polly. Glory be ! I wasn't expecting to do any such stunt 
as that to-night, say nothing of any other night. Is that the kind 
of things you do on Hallowe'en? Jiminy ! I don't know but 
what I am glad that we can't do it. If my future husband looks 
like the husbands of most of the ladies I know, I'd rather not 
see him until I have to. 

Ina. Girls, quick ! Swallow your gmn ! Miss Kitten is 
coming ! 

Mar. No, no ! Don't do that ! It will kill you ! 



l6 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

LiL. Why didn't you speak sooner ! I've swallowed mine ! 
Oh, Willi die? Will I die ? 
Hilda. Hush ! 

Enter Miss K., r. 

Miss K. I thought Miss Harding was here. Miss Sinclair, 
will you be kind enough to tell Miss Harding that I wish to 
speaic to her ? 

Ina, Yes'm. \^Exit Ina, l. 

Miss K. Miss Meredith, I presume Miss Sampson arrived ? 

Polly. Yes, Lua'am. Annie took her up to her room and 
I was to go up in a few minutes and bring her down to meet 
you. 

Miss K. You may bring her down now if you please. I 
expect that you will all do everything in your power to make it 
pleasant for Miss Sampson. Entertain her in any way that you 
think will be pleasing to her. I would suggest some recitations 
and music this evening, and remember that I expect you to up- 
hold the dignity and reputation of our school. {^Girls exeunt, 
K., as Miss H. etiters l.) Miss Harding, Martha Price's aunt is 
here and she will go on to Martha's home to-morrow. It will be 
for you to entertain her, and I wish her to receive a correct and 
favorable impression of the Tracy School. I wish once more 
to impress upon you the fact that order is to be rigidly main- 
tained during my absence. I have absolutely forbidden any 
Hallowe'en parties. The seniors are to be trusted. It is among 
the freshmen and juniors only that there is likely to be any 
trouble. 

Enter Polly r. with Miss Bedelia Kitten. Miss K. starts 
up in astonishment. Unseen by the others, Bed. places 
her fingers on her lips. 

Polly. Miss Kitten, this is Martha Price's aunt. Miss 
Sampson. 

Miss K. {very much upset). I am very glad, I'm sure. 
Let — let me present Miss Harding. 

Miss H. Miss Sampson, I am very glad to meet you. In 
Miss Kitten's absence I shall be very glad to help Martha's 
friends make your visit an enjoyable one. 

Bed. Thank you, my dear, thank you. I know I shall 
have a real entertaining time. This is the first time I was ever 
in a place like this and I like it so much already, I don't be- 
lieve I shall want to be in any hurry to leave. 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 1 7 

Miss H, We will see you after Miss Kitten goes. Polly 
will remain within call, Miss Kitten. 

Miss K. Very well. (Polly a7id Miss H. exeunt, l.) 
Bedelia ! ( Greets her sister. ) 

Bed. Yes, Priscilla, I suppose you are surprised. 

Miss K. Never more so in my life. Why didn't you let 
me know you were coming? And why in the world did you 
let Polly think you were Martha Price's aunt ? 

Bed. Well, now I will tell you, Priscilla. You know I 
agreed to visit you sure this year. Uncle Ebenezer was called 
to New York last week and there I was all alone and I just 
thought this was the best chance I ever had to visit you, and 
then I thought how nice it would be to surprise you, so along I 
came. Wal, I was surprised when that little girl came flying 
up to me when I got off the train and wanted to know if I was 
coming here. When I told her I was, she was just about 
tickled to death and she said she knew the minute she saw me 
that I was Martha's aunt. Then I knew there was some mis- 
take but it just seemed real entertaining to be taken for some one 
else and just for to-night, Priscilla, I want to be Martha's aunt. 

Miss K. Of all the extraordinary things, but, then, that's 
just like you, Bedelia. Pm sure I don't know whether it's just 
the tiling or not, but I can't see what possible harm 

Bed. Harm, of course not! Where could it be? What 
did that young woman mean a])0ut your going away ? 

Miss K. Why, I have been called up to Boston and shall 
have to stay over night. I hated to go, as Miss Harding is 
young and inexperienced, and my assistant principal is seriously 
ill, but I feel better now that you are here. Although if you 
persist in masquei-ading as Martha's aunt, I shall begin to think 
that you are as irresponsible as the girls. 

Bed. Now, don't you worry a bit, Priscilla. Pll look out 
for things for you if there's anything to look out for, and Pm 
sure I shall have a real entertaining time. 

Enter Miss H., l. 

Miss H. Miss Kitten, John is waiting, and Pm really afraid 
you will miss your train if you don't start. 

Miss K. Yes, yes, of course ! Miss — er — Sampson, you 
will be here in the morning? 

Bed. Ah, yes, I won't go until after you come back. Now 
don't you worry a bit. This young lady here is going to help 
jue have a real entertaining time. 



I 8 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

{They exit l. as she speaks.') 
Enter Ina arid Polly, l. 

Ina. Oh, she's gone ! Gone ! Gone ! [Runs to R. 
exit.) Girls ! Girls ! (Hilda, Mar., Viv. and Lil, e?iter 
R.) She's gone, girls. 

Polly. Yes, the cat's away ! The cat's away ! 

Mar. a lot of good that will do us. 

Viv. Oh, Polly, do you suppose Lillian will die? 

Polly. Die ? Oh, the gum ! I had forgotten ! 

Lil. Who told you, Marion, that it would kill any one to 
swallow gum ? 

Mar. I don't just remember who it was, but Pve always 
known it. 

Ina. Yes, so have I. 

Polly. Do you feel as if you would die, Lillian ? 

Lil. Oh, I don't know. I have awfully queer feelings 
right along here {rtinni?ig her finger along her chest), and 
sometimes here (feeling of her neck), and then way down here. 

(Places her hand on her side.) 

Polly. Goodness, a chew of gum wouldn't sail around 
that way ! 

Viv. It might. Don't you know, a needle will work all 
around until it reaches a fatal spot, and perhaps gum might. 

Lil. Oh, girls, I shall go crazy. 

Polly. We will tell Miss Harding and have a doctor. 

Lil. I guess you won't, not until I'm sure that I'm dying, 
anyway. Do you suppose I'm going to have her tell Miss 
Kitten that I was chewing gum ? I'd die then sure ! 

Polly. Well, can't you take something ? Some — some — 
peppermint ! 

Hilda. Or checkerberry ! 

Ina. Or ginger tea ! 

Mar. My grandmother used to have a dandy remedy for 
anything under the sun. It was — er — pennyroyal ! 

Viv. (to Lil.). Which will you take? 

Lil. Oh, I don't know. Supposing I take a little of each, 
but how will I get it ? 

Polly (ringitig hell). Annie will get it for you. 

All. Sure ! 

Enter Annie, l. 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY IQ 

Polly. Annie, Lillian doesn't feel well and she needs 
something to take. Will you get it for her ? 

Annie. Sure, miss ! 

Hilda. But, Annie, she doesn't want any one to know she 
isn't feeling well, because — because 

Ina. Because we're going to have cream ptiffs for supper 
and she's afraid they won't let her have any. 

LiL. You won't tell, will you ? 

Annie. I'll git it for yez mesilf, miss. What'U I git ? 

Polly. One teaspoonful of peppermint 

Hilda. One of checkerberry 

Ina. One of Jamaica ginger 

Mar. And one of pennyroyal. 

Viv. In a cup of hot water. 

Annie. I'll bring it up here to yez. It's pipperment, 
checkerberry, ginger, and — and 

Mar. Pennyroyal. 

Annie. Pinny-ryal ! In a cup of hot water. 

All. Right, oh ! {^Exit Annie, l. 

Polly. We will have you fixed up in no time, Lily, 
What's this? [Takes up box.) 

Viv. Oh, the dominoes that we were going to wear to- 
night. 

Hilda. Isn't it maddening? 

Polly. Why didn't you open it ? 

Mar. What's the use ? 

Polly. Well, I never saw one. I can at least feast mine 
eyes. Do you care if I look at them, Vivi ? 

Viv. Of course not. Open it if you like. 

(Polly ope7is box. Girls are not interested enough to 
watch her.') 

Polly, Oh, girls, aren't they lovely ? Why, you said they 
were like sheets ! 

Mar. Well, they are. Why, what ? 

Polly. Yes, I should think so. {Takes a costwne from 
box.') Did you ever see a pink satin sheet ? 

All {gathering around box). What ? Just look ! For 
pity's sake ! 

Polly. Aren't they dominoes ? 

Viv. Goodness, no ! 

Hilda. They've made a mistake and sent a box of fancy 
costumes. 



20 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

Ina. I guess the ones that get our dominoes will be pleased. 

Mar. There are even masks here. 

Viv. They sent some dominoes after all. Two, just alike. 

LiL. {Jiolding up a costume). Oh, wouldn't I love to try 
this one on ! 

Mar. Let's put them on ! 

Polly. Let's have a party. 

LiL. Why, Polly, Miss Kitten forbid us to 

Polly. Have a Hallowe' e7i party. 

Ina. That's right ! She didn't say we couldn't have some 
other kind. 

Mar. And if we use these it will be a fancy-dress party. 

LiL. Girls, you are crazy ! Miss Harding won't let us. 

Hilda. Have it in my room and Miss Harding will never 
know. 

Viv. She will be busy entertaining Martha's aunt. 

Lil. Aren't we supposed to help entertain Miss Sampson? 

Mar. Yes, recite and sing and show off our manners or 
some such thing. 

Polly. It won't take long to show her all the stunts we know. 

Ina. You bet it won't ! 

Mar. Come on, girls ! Will you do it? 

All {except Lil.). Sure ! 

Hilda. Oh, Lily, be game ! Come on ! 

Lil. Well, of course if all the rest of you want to 

All. We sure do ! (Annie enters with a cup zvhich she 
places on the table.) Good girl, Annie ! 

Annie. It's all there but the ryal-pinny, Miss Martin. 
There weren't none o* that in the midicine chist. [Exit, L. 

Lil. Oh, girls, I may not live long enough to have a party. 

Mar. Oh, perhaps you will, Lily. Hurry up and take that. 

Viv. Remember, girls, we stand together in this to-night. 

Polly. Sure ! Now, girls (Lil. sits do7vn at table. Others 
stajid in a rotv, arms aro7ind each other), in the words of the 
famous '* Musketeers " — 

All. " All for each " and " Each for all ! " 

Lil. {taking one siuallotv of her medicine). Murder ! 

{Jumps up, claps her hand over her mouth, sinks dowti in 
chair again, while the girls gather aroufid, fanning her 
and so forth, as the curtain falls.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE.— 77/^ same. 

(As curtain rises, Lil., Mar., Polly, Viv. and Hilda sit 
about the table looking up at Ina who stands on a chair 
i?i the center of the room.) 

Ina. Ladies, friends, schoolmates and fellow citizens, we 
are met together on this grand and glorious occasion, this 
Hallowe'en evening I might say, this thirty-first evening in 
October 19 — to do honor to an esteemed relative of one of 
our own numbers. A cherished member of our own glorious 
class of 19 — . The class which is the pride of Tracy Institute 
and whose fame will be recorded in letters of red, white and 
blue upon the annals of these great and glorious United States. 
(Girls applmid.') I appeal to you, fellow classmates, uphold 
the honor of Tracy Institute and don't, I implore, bring shame 
upon the fair name of Kitten. 

All {laugh a?id applaud'). Hurrah ! You're it ! Three 
cheers for class orator. 

Viv. It's a good thing you have shown us what you can 
do, Ina. 

Mar. That's right. We never should even have sus- 
pected it. 

Ina. I always knew that you didn't appreciate my talents. 

Hilda. Didn't we just distinguish ourselves at dinner? 

Ina. We certainly did. 

Viv. I wouldn't have believed that Polly could be so lady- 
like. 

Polly. Oh, leave it to me. I can be most anything I 
choose if it comes to a pinch. 

Mar. Miss Kitten's heart would have palpitated with joy 
could she have beheld her darling precious. 

Lil. (is decidedly tiervous). Oh, girls, I feel awfully queer. 

Ina. I should think you might. 

Viv. I guess any of us would if we had eaten seven cream 
puffs for supper. 

21 



22 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

LiL. Oh, Vivi, I never ! 

Mar. You came pretty close to it. I counted four. 

LiL. Well, if I die, you girls will be sorry you mentioned 
cream p-p-p-puifs. (^Begins to cry.') 

Ina. There, Lillian, we didn't mean anything. 

All. Of course not ! 

Polly. Lil, do you really feel very bad ? 

LiL. Yes. 

Hilda. I think we ought to have a doctor. 

Lil. No, I won't ! 

Mar. My goodness, what shall we do ? 

Polly. I'll tell you. We'll ask Miss Sampson when she 
comes in. 

All. Oh, yes ! 

Viv. You won't mind if we tell her, will you, Lily? 

Lil. No. She's a dear. 

Mar. Say, girls, how shall we decide on our costumes ? 

Hilda. No one ought to know what any one but you have 
herself. 

Viv. Glory, Hilda, do you know what you are trying to 
tell? 

Mar. Oh, don't be fussy. We know what she means. 

Ina. When we get ready to go up-stairs, we will pass 
through this room, one at a time, and each choose a costume 
and put it on in our own room. 

All. Right, oh ! 

Polly. Shan't we ask any of the other girls ? 

All. No ! 

Ina. We would be caught sure if we had them coming up 
here from other parts of the building. 

Hilda. Perhaps the freshmen aren't wrathy to have their 
first chance for a school frolic spoiled. 

Polly. Oh, what's the use ? It was my first chance, but 
I'm not complaining. 

Mar. Mother's angel child ! 

Ina. Polly, how did you get in the junior class ? I mean, 
where did you learn enough ? Did you have schools near the 
ranch ? 

Polly. The nearest school is twenty miles. Dad taught 
me. 

Mar. Why, I thought he ran a ranch and was a sheriff or 
something. 

Polly. He does and he is. Sheriff of Rockbound County, 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 23 

but he knows something just the same. He graduated from 
Harvard. 

All. He did ? 

Polly. Yes ; that's why he sent me east. My cousin 
came, too, and he's out at Harvard now. He's coming to the 
Junior Dance. 

All. What ? 

Polly. Yes, when you told me about it, I wrote and asked 
him if he felt too big to come to our dance, and he wrote back 
that it would be the time of his life and he wanted at least five 
dances with Lillian. 

Viv. And you've actually invited a Harvard man to our 
dance ? 

Mar. And never mentioned it ! 

PoLLV. Well, I forgot to. You'll like him. He's some 
fellow. Out west they call him " Broncho Kid," but here he's 
only Thomas Meredith. 

LiL. (very much agitated'). How — how did he happen to 
mention me? 

Polly. I sent him that snap-shot I took of you and he 
wears it in his watch, and he says every time the fellows see it, 
they all go woozy. 

LiL, Polly Meredith, oh — oh — I feel so queer ! I'm afraid 
I'll never live to see him. I — I — I think I'm dying now ! 

All. Oh, Lil ! What shall we do? 

Viv. Polly, you never saw any one die, did you ? 

Polly. Well, not a natural death, but, then, if Lillian 
died from swallowing her gum, that wouldn't be a natural 
death, would it ? 

Mar. Polly Ann, you never saw any one die an unnatural 
death, did you ? 

Polly. Yes, I saw a man hanged once but I was so far 
away I don't know how he looked. {Girls scream.') 

Hilda. Sh ! Hush ! 

Enter Miss H., 7i>ilh Bed. 

Miss H. Girls, Miss Burke has been taken suddenly ill 
and they have sent for me to go over to the west wing. That 
leaves you alone in this wing and also leaves Miss Sampson in 
your hands to entertain. 

Bed. We shall get along fine, Miss Harding; don't you 
worry a bit ! I'm sure we shall have a real entertaining time. 



24 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

And if you need any help, don't you hesitate to let me know. 
I'm real handy in case of sickness. 

Miss H. Thank you. I hope to find that it is nothing 
serious. \^Exit, R. 

Polly. Oli, Miss Sampson, do you know anything that 
will cure gum-swallowing ? 

Bed. Cure what ? 

Polly. Gum-swallowing. 

Mar. You see, Lillian accidentally swallowed her gum. 

Viv. Do you think she will die ? 

LiL. Do you, Miss Sampson ? 

Bed. For the land sakes, no ! 

All. She won't? 

Bed. Of course not ! 

Mar. I've always heard it would kill you to swallow your 
gum. 

Bed. Well, it's perfect nonsense. 

Ina. But Lillian has been feeling awfully queer. 

Bed. I suppose you have frightened the poor child almost 
to death. I don't quite understand how any of Priscilla 
Kitten's girls happened to be chewing gum. 

Polly {quickly). Oh, it was my fault. When I went to 
the station to meet you I got some in the gum machine. We 
were all chewing it and some one said " Miss Kitten ! " Well, 
I'm pretty quick in my movements but when Lillian hears the 
name Kitten, she has me beaten to a frazzle as far as rapidity 
goes. She had swallowed her gum before we could slop her. 

Bed. Supposing it had been a case that the gum had killed 
her, you would have been responsible for a schoolmate's 
death. 

Polly {moving to7uard Lil.). Goodness, I never thought 
of that. 

Bed. That would have been rather a poor excuse if Lillian 
had died, wouldn't it ? 

Polly {hugging Lil. close). Yes, ma'am, I reckon it would. 

Lil. Oh, 1 don't mind, really, Polly, as long as I am going 
to live for the Junior Dance. 

Hilda. Girls, we are supposed to be entertaining Miss 
Sampson. 

All. That's right. 

Mar. Delightful evening. Miss Sampson, isn't it ? 

Viv. I trust. Miss Sampson, that you are enjoying your 
sojourn in our midst. 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 25 

Hilda. Oh, Miss Sampson, have you seen the picture of 
Miss Kitten's father ? He left the money and plans for this 
school. It's named for hhn. His name was Tracy Kitten. 
Classy name, wasn't it? I suppose Kitten was too utterly 
ridiculous for the name of a select seminary. 

{She shows Bed. a picture at the back of the room.') 

Ina. Gee, ain't this awful ? 

LiL. I suppose it's about time we began to recite or some- 
thing. 

PoLLV. Girls, let's have our party now ! 

All. What ? 

Polly. Why not ? We can have it here, too ! 

Ina. That's right, we can ! 

Mar. Goodness, what will Miss Sampson think ? 

Viv. Think it's more fun than to be sitting around here like 
sticks. 

Ina. And we can do our stunts after we are dressed up. 

LiL. You don't suppose we will get Miss Harding into 
trouble, do you ? You know what Hilda said about her losing 
her position. 

Mar. Miss Harding can't help what we do when she isn't 
here. 

Viv. And we certainly shan't tell Miss Kitten anything 
about this anyway. 

All. Right, oh ! 

Polly. Oh, Miss Sampson, we were going to have a little 
party (Bed. conies forward.') 

Mar. We have some costumes down from Boston. 

Viv. And wouldn't you like it if we dressed up and did 
some stunts for you and had our party just the same? 

Bed. Well, I should say so ! It will be real entertaining, 
only I think I should like to dress up, too. 

All. Oh, Miss Sampson, you're a dear ! Won't that be 
fun ! You're all right ! 

Bed. Well, I declare, I feel about sixteen. 

Lil. We'll all go out but you, Hilda. You and Miss 
Sampson can choose and then you can help her dress. 

Hilda. All right. {Girls exeunt R., ieavinq- Hilda and 
Bed. on the stage.) Now, you choose something, Miss Samp- 
son, and a mask. 

(Hilda opens box.) 



26 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

Bed. Well, I declare ! I believe I'll take this. {Takes a 
domino from box.) If this ain't real entertaining ! 

Hilda. You've got a domino ! I'll take this. {Takes a 
costume.) All right, girls ! \They exit, L. 

{The girls etiter one at a time, choose a costume and exit, L. 
Hilda calls " Ready .' " or " All right .' " as they exit l. 
Polly is the last to e?iter. Annie enters l. as Polly is 
selecting her costume.') 

Annie. Sure, Miss Meredith, what is it yez all up to ? 

Polly. We're going to have a party, Annie, because it's 
Hallowe'en and we're choosing our costumes. Oh, Annie, 
don't you want to come? 

Annie. Me, miss ? To the party ? 

Polly. Sure ! Wouldn't you like it ? 

Annie. Like it ? Sure, Miss Polly, I niver went to a party 
in me loife ! 

Polly. Well, it's time you did. Come on ! Choose some- 
thing ! And a mask ! The girls will never notice that we are 
one too many or if they do, it will be all the more fun, for they 
will be completely mystified. But don't try to talk, Annie; 
your brogue would be a dead give away. 

{They dress on the stage, putting the costumes over their 
other dresses.) 

Annie. I can talk all right. Miss Meredith, when I think 
about it and take plenty of time. 

Polly. Well, I should say you could. Where did you 
learn ? 

Annie. Miss Harding is teaching me evenings when she 
has time. 

Polly. She is? Isn't that splendid ? 

Annie. Ain't — isn't she the dear ? 

Polly. She's all of that. Oh, look what I've found ! 

Annie. What is it, miss ? 

Polly. A false mustache, and look at the slouch hat and 
the coat ! Oh, say, I'll put them here {slipping them under a 
large chair at L. of stage), and we'll have some fun yet. An- 
nie, they'll never know you from Adam. How do I look ? 

Annie. Jest iligant. 

Polly. I wonder if the girls are ready? I'm going to see. 

{Runs out L.) 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 27 

Enter Miss H., r,, medicine bottle in her hand. 

Miss H. Well, what in the world ? 

Annie. It's only me, Miss Hardin'. 

Miss H. What are you doing, Annie ? 

Annie. Sure, the young ladies are having a party 

Miss H. Are they indeed ? 

Annie. Sure, it's Hallow somethin', Miss Polly said it is, 
and she invited me. Ain't that jist like her ? 

Miss H. {dryly). Yes, exactly. 

Annie. Sure, Miss Harding, don't yez think I ought to be 
with them ? 

Miss H. Your being with them is no harm, Annie. If you 
have a chance to have a little fun there's no reason why you 
shouldn't have it. Where is Miss Sampson? 

Annie. Sure, is she the queer little party that's visitin' 
here ? 

Miss H. Annie, I'm surprised ! 

Annie. Sure, I beg your pardon. Miss Hardin'. I thought 
she was queer but probably she ain't. She's with Miss Mason. 
She's dressing up, too. 

Miss H. Miss Sampson is dressing up ? 

Annie. Yes'm. Ain't she the game one? 

Miss H. {jiot noticing Annie's remark). No doubt she 
thinks it's real entertaining. I came up for some medicine for 
Miss Burke. I shall be back for the night in a very few min- 
utes. If the girls get too noisy, Annie, you had better speak 
to me. 

Annie. All right, Miss Harding, I will. 

\^Exit Miss H., r. 

Enter girls and Bed., l., infancy costumes and masks. 

Mar. {leading the Tuay). This way ! This way for the 
side show ! Step right up ! Get your tickets at the box-office. 
Reserved seats only ten cents extra. 

{A varied program may be ifitroditced of music, songs, 
recitations, dances. Each girl tries hard to co?iceal her 
identity. At the close of each number, the girls guess who 
the performer is — some should be recognized — others re- 
niaifi a inysfery.) 

Bed. {at the close of the pro grain). Well, girls, I never had 
such an entertaining: time in mv life, i wisli. I could entertain 



28 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

you but I can't. I can't even disguise my voice. There's just 
one thing more. Do any of you know the song *'Bedelia"? 
If you do, I'd love to hear it. 

Annie (slowly). I know the song, if some one can play it. 

(One of the girls goes to the piano and Annie sings 
^^ Bedelia," the girls Joining in the chorus. No one but 
Polly knows who she is.) 

Hilda (pointing at Annie). Lillian! 

(Annie shakes her head.) 
Mar. Polly ! 

(Annie shakes her head.) 

Bed. (to Annie). My dear, I don't know which young 
lady you are, but you have given me the most pleasure of all, 
although it's all been splendid and you're just a wonderful 
crowd of girls. 

Polly. Three cheers for the vocal mystery ! 

Ina. And now for some eats ! 

All. Hurrah ! 

(They exit, l. Bed. starts to go 7vith them. As she gets to 
door, she glances back. Miss K. enters, R. Bed. co7nes 
back into room.) 

Bed. Well, well, Priscilla, you got back to-night after all ! 

Miss K. Bedelia Kitten, what in pity's name are you 
doing ? . 

Bed. I'm having a real entertaining time, Priscilla. 

Miss. K. Yes, you have every appearance of it. 

Bed. Well, I suppose I do look ridiculous but you see the 
girls have been having a party, and 

Miss K. Oh, have they ? 

Bed. Land sakes, you don't mind, do you? They sang 
and recited and I don't know what all. It was real entertain- 
ing. 

Miss K. It isn't that, Bedelia. I'm glad the girls have 
entertained you. The point is this. I forbid them to have a 
party. They have disobeyed ray orders. 

Bed. Oh, I see. Well, now, Priscilla, I wouldn't be too 
hard on them. It's Hallowe'en, you know, and they are just 
kind of young and thoughtless. 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 2() 

Miss K. I understand all that, but you wouldn't have me 
pass it over without a word, would you ? 

Bed. Well, I suppose you couldn't do that exactly, but — 
but 

Miss K. Where is Miss Harding? 

Bed. One of the teachers is sick and she is with her. Land, 
Priscilla, you don't blame her, do you ? 

Miss K. To a certain extent. If she had any control over 
the girls, they wouldn't be ready to carry on this way, the 
minute her back is turned. I have known for some time that 
she wasn't fit for her position here. I'll just step up to my 
room and then I will straighten things out. [^x/V, r. 

Bed. {^following her). Well, now, Priscilla 

{Burglar enters L., black mustache, slouch hat, gray coat. 
Looks about uncertainly, listens — moves along by the zaall. 
Miss H. enters r. ; he sneaks out k., unseen by her. She 
hesitates, finally goes to box, takes out domino, puts it on, 
exits L. LiL. enters l., looks back, listens, carefully takes 
a mirror from folds of her dress — begins to walk around 
room backward. Annie enters l., without mask.) 

LiL. Oh, Annie, how you startled me ! {Looks at her 
costume in surprise.) For goodness' sake, it was you that sang 
"Bedelia" ! 

Annie. Sure, it was that. What is it yez doin' now, 
miss ? 

LiL. Promise you won't tell, Annie ? 

Annie. Sure, miss, mum's the word ! 

LiL. Well, on Hallowe'en you can walk backwards around 
a dimly lighted room with a mirror in your hand, and you 
will see the face of your future husband in the mirror. 

Annie. You don't say, miss ! 

LiL. I don't want the girls to know, but I'm bound to try 
it. You keep watch and tell me if they are coming, will you ? 

Annie. Sure, miss. Yez better hurry for they are all over 
the place. 

LiL. Oh, I'm so nervous. (She turns the light down atid 
begins to zoalk around backiuards. Annie runs over to chair 
at la., puts on the coat, mjistache and hat — steals tip back of 
LiL. afid looks over her shoulder into mirror. LiL. screams — 
Annie dodges back of screen. Girls enter l. , in general con- 
fusion. Annie slips out l. unseen by others.) Oh ! Oh ! 
Oh, I saw a man's face. 



30 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 



All. Where ? 

LiL. In the mirror. Polly, your cousin hasn't got a 
mustache, has he? 

Polly. My cousin? A mustache? Glory be, he's only 
eighteen ! 

Ina. Do you mean to say that you saw a face in that 
mirror ? 

LiL. Yes, black mustache, and a slouch hat ! Oh, I was so 
scared ! 

(Polly, unnoticed by other Sy runs over to chair at l., looks 
under, Jlfids the things gone, laughs silently. ) 

Hilda. Well, you were looking for a face, weren't you ? 

LiL. Yes, but I didn't really expect to see one. 

Mar. You didn't see one either. You were excited and 
you imagined it. 

LiL. Oh, did I? Well, I guess if it had been you, you 
wouldn't have thought there was much imagining about it. 

Ina. Girls, if Lil really did see a face, she saw a real face. 
You all know there's nothing in Hallowe'en stunts but fun. 
There must be a man in the house. 

Viv. Probably he's a burglar ! 

(Miss H. enters unseen by the girls. When she sees the 
girls, she quickly slips a mask on.) 

Mar. Oh, what shall we do ? 

Hilda {noticitig Miss H.). Oh, Miss Sampson, tell us what 
to do quick ! 

Ina. We think there's a burglar in the house ! 

Mar. Lillian saw him in here ! 

Lil. Yes, black hair and mustache ! Most awful looking 
man ! 

Viv. Oh, I'm so scared ! 

Miss H. Get John ! Come quick ! 

[All exit, L. , but Polly. 

Polly {looking about'). Annie ! Annie ! Wonder where 
she is. (Bed. enters, R.) Why, why. Miss Sampson,! — I — 
thought you just went out that door. {Points L.) 

Bed. Land sakes, child, what made you think that ? 

Polly. Well, it — it — was dressed just the same 

{Looks in box.) Yes, sir ! Some one has the other domino 
on ! Another joke on the girls. Oh, isn't this fun ? 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 3 1 

Bed. Yes, it's real entertaining. Of course Miss Kitten 
was perfectly willing that you should have a Hallowe'en party. 

Polly. This isn't a Hallowe'en party. What — {hesi- 
tating) what made you ask about Miss Kitten ? 

Bed. Well, I didn't think anything about it at first, but it 
just occurred to me that she might not like to have you doing 
this when she is away. 

Polly. Well, I don't know as she would like it, but what 
she doesn't know won't hurt her. 

Bed. So that's your code of honor ! Do when Miss Kitten 
isn't looking what you wouldn't do if she was. 

Polly. Goodness, that doesn't sound so very nice, does it? 

Bed. No, I don't think it does, and I must say I'm sur- 
prised. Why, I thought you and those other girls that have 
been giving me such an entertaining time were just the nicest 
girls in the world. 

Polly. Oh, don't mention the other girls, Miss Sampson. 
They had this party just because I suggested it. Somehow 
they always do what I suggest. 

Bed. So I have noticed. I guess you are a pretty dan- 
gerous girl to have in a place like this. 

Polly. Oh, Miss Sampson, I wish you wouldn't say that, 
because I do like you ever so much. We're just having some 
fun. 

Bed. Child, would your mother want you to have fun that 
you gained by deceiving others ? 

Polly. Pve never had any mother, Miss Sampson. My 
mother died when 1 was born. Dad always said I was a 
hopeless case so he sent me on here to see what Miss Kitten 
could do with me. He said he didn't know how gray her 
hair was when I started, but he knew how gray it would be 
by the time I returned. You see, dad's never had any one 
but just me for a good many years, and I reckon he's always 
let me do about as I please and we never either of us thought 
whether I ought to or not. 

Bed. Polly, some people think that those in the other 
world who love us can see us and know what we are doing. 
Supposing, just supposing that is true, would you want your 
mother to see all that you do ? 

Polly. I reckon not. Miss Sampson. Not by a good deal. 
I never thought of it before. But what am I going to do? 
Pm just me and I guess it would be a pretty hard me to 
change. 



32 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

Bed. We don't want to change her entirely for she's a 
pretty nice little me, but, Polly, it's time you changed 
enough to stop leading the other girls into trouble. If Miss 
Kitten should find out about this, you would all have to face 
the consequences, and yet you admit yourself that you are to 
blame. 

Polly. Yes, I am. 

Bed. If Miss Kitten knew about this, Miss Harding would 
probably lose her position. 

Polly. Why should she ? 

Bed. Miss Kitten left her in charge. 

Polly. But she isn't here, and how can she be to blame ? 

Bed. That argument might not have much weight with 
Miss Kitten. 

Polly. Oh, misery ! I love Miss Harding and I wouldn't 
get her into trouble for the world. What shall I do ? 1 never 
thought about these things before. 

Bed. That's what 1 am trying to impress upon you, how 
your thoughtlessness gels others into trouble. I don't believe 
this is the first time since you came either. 

Polly. No, ma'am, I don't believe it is. Goodness, I 
never thought before, but I guess I've been to blame for lots 
of things. Gracious, I didn't even realize I was to blame. I 
guess it would be a good thing if I went back on the ranch. 

Bed. Would you want to do that ? 

Polly. I — I reckon not. Not until I have proved that I 
am good for something here. But how am I ever going to re- 
member to remember ? 

Bed. {taking a little ring from her finger'). Polly, this was 
my mother's ring. The dearest, most generous, self-sacrific- 
ing little woman that ever lived. {Puts it on Voia^y's finger.) 
Wear her ring and look at it every hour in the day and re- 
vietnber / 

Polly. Have you faith enough in me for that? 

Bed. Yes, Polly. 

Polly. I'll never go back on you, Miss Sampson. I'll re- 
member if I die in the attempt. Gracious, I wish you were 
my aunt. I don't wonder that Martha Price is such a nice 
girl. 

{Bell rings.) 

Bed. What is that ? 

Polly. The telephone. I'll answer it. (Polly exits r., 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 33 

Bed. l. Burglar enters l., exits r., drops a pocketbook. 
Annie rtuis in L,, tears off hat, mustache and begins to take 
costume off. Polly <?«/^/-j R.) Annie, what's the matter ? 

Annie. Sure, miss, the girls are chasing me. They'll git 
me for sure. Miss Kitten has got back and if she's after finding 
out, I'll lose me job. 

Polly. Annie, quick, give them to me ! {Snatches up 
hat and mustache.') They'll never know. Now, you scoot. 
(Polly throws cover on costume box as Annie exits R. Miss 
H. enters L., follo^ved by Lil., Mar., Viv., Hilda, followed 
by Bed. and Miss K. Polly dances around waving hat and 
mustache.) Ever get left? Ever get left? Joke's on you! 
Joke's on you ! 

Girls. Polly Meredith ! Well, of all things ! 

Lil. Polly Ann, it was you who looked in the mirror ? 

Polly {holding up hat and mustache). Isn't this what you 
saw? 

Lil. Yes, and to think of the fright I had ! {Sees Miss K.) 
Oh, Miss Kitten ! 

Girls {horrified ). And Miss Harding ! 

Miss K. Well, Miss Meredith, I trust you have enjoyed 
yourself this evening. In fact I trust that all of the young ladies 
have had an enjoyable time, for what will follow will not prove 
quite so enjoyable. 

Polly. Miss Kitten, don't blame the girls. It's all my 
fault. 

Girls. Oh, no, it isn't ! The idea ! Don't you believe 
her, Miss Kitten ! 

Miss K. That will do. I have heard quite enough. We 
will settle this burglar affair of yours first. If you think you 
have masqueraded long enough, kindly return my pocketbook 
and we will talk of something more sensible. 

Polly. Your pocketbook ? Do you think that I have 
your pocketbook ? 

Miss K. I saw you take it. 

Miss H. What is this ? 

{Picks up pocketbook.) 

Polly. I never saw that before in my life. 

Miss H. Polly, when Miss Kitten returned I met her in the 
upper hall. When she opened the door of her room, we saw 
you run from her bureau out the opposite door and you had 
her pocketbook in your hand. Now what have you to say ? 



34 LEAVE IT TO POLLY 

Polly {looking at the door rvhere Annie made her exit). 
Nothing, Miss Harding. Miss Kitten, you can't think I meant 
to steal your money ? 

Miss K. No, I can't think that, for you certainly have 
money enough of your own. I suppose it is all a part of this 
crazy escapade of yours, but I must say I think you have pretty 
thoroughly forgotten yourself to enter my room in my absence 
and rifle my bureau. I think the only course open to me is to 
inform your father of what has happened and let him change 
you to some other school. 

Polly. Oh, must you tell dad ? 

(Ina rushes in L.) 

Ina. Oh, Miss Sampson ! Girls I Oh, g-g-g-goodness, 
Miss Kitten ! 

Miss K. What is it ? What has happened ? 

Ina. Why — why — J-J-John has got here at last and he 
found the burglar in the garden under the hall window. He 
fell and broke his leg when he climbed out and he was trying 
to get away and John heard him. He had a black mustache 
and a gray coat and slouch hat. 

All. Then there was a burglar in the house ! 

Miss H. And he dropped the pocketbook when he came 
through here. 

Miss K. Well, Polly, I'm certainly relieved. 

Polly. Jiminy, Miss Kitten, so am I ! 

Miss H. But, Polly, why didn't you explain ? 

Polly (uneasily). Why, why — I — well — you see, you said 
you saw me. 

Miss K. Well, certainly, Polly, you are the most extra- 
ordinary girl ! 

Polly. Oh, Miss Kitten, won't you let me take the blame 
for everything? I got the girls to have the party, and, oh, 
Miss Kitten, Miss Harding didn't know a thing about what we 
were doing. She was way over in the other wing. You won't 
blame her, will you ? Please promise that you won't send her 
away on account of this ! 

Miss K. Send her away ? I hardly think so. A girl with 
presence of mind and courage enough to save my house from 
being robbed is a pretty valuable girl to keep in my establish- 
ment. And now I would like to inquire who left the back 
door wide open so that the house could be entered without any 
difficulty ? 



LEAVE IT TO POLLY 35 

Hilda. I — I — did. I remember now. When I put the 
fudge out to c-c-c-cool ! (^Begins to cry.^ 

Miss K. Well, now, Polly, it doesn't look to me as if you 
stood alone in this affair, by any means. 

Polly. Oh, but I do. Miss Kitten ! 

Bed. Well, now, you all just wait a minute for I want to 
say something. {To Miss K.) I've been right here all the 
time, and know that there wasn't one bit of harm meant in this 
party. It was just thoughtlessness and carelessness and I'm 
sure that the girls have had a lesson they'll never forget. So 
I'm going to ask you as a personal favor if you will wipe the 
slate off clean and let the girls start all over again. 

Miss K. Of course, if you put it that way, I can't very well 
refuse. Girls, I guess it's about time that I introduce you to 
my sister. 

All. Your sister ? 

Bed. Yes, I'll have to own up, girls, that I'm not a mite 
of relation to Martha Price. That was just a mistake of 
Polly's. And now I'm going to tell you a httle story that not 
even my sister knows anything about. We have an uncle, a 
very peculiar old man with loads of money and he lives with 
me. For a long time Priscilla has been trying to get him to 
give a gymnasium to Tracy School. When he found that I was 
coming here for a visit, he suddenly decided that he would do 
it. He told me that if I could find a class here worthy of the 
gift, that he would give the money to the class to be used for 
the gymnasium. Girls, you didn't know that I was any rela- 
tion to your principal. You just took in a queer, little, old- 
fashioned woman and made her think she was just a girl, too, 
and entertained her like a queen. I say that girls who will do 
a thing like that are worthy of any gift. When I go back I'm 
going to tell Uncle Ebenezer to give his money to the Junior 
Class ! 

Girls {gathering round Bed, and throwing their arms 
around her'). Oh, aren't you the dear ? You're the dearest 
thing in all the world ! 

Bed. {delighted). Well, I declare, we've had a pretty ex- 
citing evening and it hasn't all been pleasant but it certainly 
has been real entertaining. 



CURTAIN 



JI^ lUv Piiiero's Plays 

Price, 50 Cents €acb 



IVIin THANNFI Playi" Four Acts. Six males, five females. 
"**»-'"^*l'f»i" *'*-'»-' Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. 
Plays two and a half hours. 

THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH ^l^r 'k^Z 

males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all interiors. 
Plays a full evening. 

THF PRflFFIPATF Playin Four Acts. Seven males, five 
lllLi 1 l\Ufi LilUnl Li females. Scenery, three interiors, rather 
elaborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF <!rHnni MKTDFQQ Farce in Three Acts. Nine males, 
int. OV^nUV7L.lT1101I\.EiOi3 seven females. Costumes, mod- 
ern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE SECOND MRS, TANQUERAY ^gt'\Ta7es.^fl^^ 

females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a 
full evening. 

^WFFT T AVFMnFR Comedv in Three Acts. Seven males, 
UTTJJLiil Li/\r £<ill/£.I\ four females. Scene, a single interior, 

costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF THITNnFRRm T Comedy in Four Acts. Ten males, 
iniJ inUlil/EilVOULil nine females. Scenery, three interi- 
ors; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THF TIIWFS Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 
***Ci 1 llTlEiij Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays 
a fall evening. 

THF WFAITFR ^FY comedy in Three Acts. Eight males. 
1 nCi TV Eii\I\.CiI\ OEi A eight females. Costumes, modern ; 
scenery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE '^:^^^^,;^tr^. 

Costumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv ^. pafeer & Companp 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




018 603 634 

mAWAlTFVlNfi ^^^J' '" -^""^ ^'^^^^ ^y ^- •^- Chambers. 
A VI AnLlililU Pour males, six females. Scenery, not diffi- 
cult, chiefly interiors ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 
Price,. 50 Cents. 

THE FRUITS OF ENLIGHTENMENT ^Ti^^I^J^t.^- 

one males, eleven females. Scenery, characteristic interiors ; cos- 
tumes, modern. Plays a full evening. Recommended for reading 
clubs. Price, 35 Cents. 

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR ^:^'^^frRl^'l^!r*"T?2 

males, three females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, one interior. 
Acting rights reserved. Time, a full evening. Pi-ice, 50 Cents. 

AN inPAI HIISRANn comedy in Four Acts. By Oscar Wilde. 
All lULiAU IWJuAi^U Kiue males, six females. Costumes, mod- 
ern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. Acting rights 
reserved. Sold for reading. Price, 50 Cents. 

TBE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Itlt iy 11^^ 

Wilde. Five males, four females. Costumes, modern ; scenes, two 
interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. Acting rights re- 
served. Price, 50 Cents, 

LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN '^^'^i^^'^.^i^l'il 

males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full 
evening. Acting rights reserved. Price, 50 Cents. 

NATHAN HAIF Play in Four Acts. By Clyde Fitch. Fifteen 
llAlUAn 11/1L<L( males, four females. Costumes of the eighteenth 
century in America. Scenery, four interiors and two exteriors. Act- 
ing rights re.served. Plays a full evening. Price, 50 Cents. 

THP ftTHPtf FFflftW Comedy in Three Acts. By M. B. HoRNE. 
lUEi UlflCn IChUVVI Six males, four females. Scenery, two 
interiors; costumes, modern. Professional stage rights reserved. 
Plays a full evening. Price, 50 Cents. 

THE TYRANNY OF TEARS ^-(^IS.^^tl^^L.Sr^ gi 

males. Sceuf ry, an interior and an exterior ; costume^, modern. 
Acting rights reserved. Plays a full evening. Price, 50 Cents. 

A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE 'c;^%/lllri.^!i.ll 

seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors and an 
extericn-. Plays a full evening. Stage rights reserved. Ottered for 
reading only. Price, 50 Cents. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

WMn ^. 'Bafier ^ Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 

6. J. PARKHILL & CO , PRINTEI 5, BOSTON. 



